Carbon isotope fractionation during acetoclastic methanogenesis by Methanosaeta concilii in culture and a lake sediment

Abstract

The isotope enrichment factors (ε) in Methanosaeta concilii and in a lake sediment, where acetate was consumed only by Methanosaeta spp., were clearly less negative than the ε usually observed for Methanosarcina spp. The fraction of methane produced from acetate in the sediment, as determined by using stable isotope signatures, was 10 to 15% lower when the appropriate ε of Methanosaeta spp. was used. Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.